Tootsie Roll Questions

1. Tootsie Roll uses a Top-down method. TRI complements its top-down structure by encouraging accessibility and teamwork as keys to successful communication. Employees are allowed and encouraged to sit in on meetings and get to know the business better even if they are not presently involved in certain operations.

2. TRI management encourages an open organization where employees confront and resolve conflicts and a culture where business thrives on skilled negotiating with business partners, competitors, and even the government.

3. Cross-functional teams give a wide range of ideas, viewpoints, opinions, and knowledge, which increases the likelihood of coming up with effective solutions or successful product development. And opens the company for expansion such as their expansion in Mexico and Canada in the 60s and 70s.

4. When looking at an acquisition, TRI management meets over time with the other company's management or parent company. At successive meetings, opportunities and risks for both parties are debated and discussed. The ability of Tootsie Roll Industries and the representatives of the potential acquisition to resolve their conflicts and to negotiate to their mutual satisfaction makes or breaks the deal.

5. They do this so both sides get what they want. It keeps everyone happy and reduces conflict, which in turn can help productivity because there isn't any looming "what ifs" above anything.